Newington Public Schools

Literacy is the focus of the kindergarten program. Kindergarten students explore the world around them through discussion, literature, drama, and writing. Students are immersed in a literature-rich environment with direct instruction in phonemic awareness, concepts about print, letter recognition, sound-letter relationships, and sight words. Students develop as readers and writers.

The kindergarten program includes reading aloud, in which the teacher reads aloud literature to develop literacy skills; shared reading, in which teachers demonstrate reading skills; guided reading, in which the child does the reading and receives instruction; and independent reading, when students read books they have chosen.

Writing includes modeled writing, where the teacher demonstrates; interactive writing, where the teacher and children contribute language, letters, words and phrases; and independent writing, where the child practices writing at his or her own level (picture writing, scribble writing, random letters, letter sounds, spaces between words, or a complete sentence).

Students will:

• produce rhyming words    
• identify consonant sounds at the beginning of words    
• blend, segment, and manipulate letter sounds in words    
• recognize that print is read left to right and top to bottom   
• distinguish letters from words and words from sentences   
• understand that print conveys meaning   
• recognize and name all uppercase and lowercase letters fluently   
• demonstrate letter-sound correspondence  
• read high-frequency words  
• match print to spoken word while reading  
• ask and answer questions about a story  
• retell familiar stories    
• write first and last name with correct capitalization 
• use pictures and letters to describe a topic, idea, or event 
• spell simple words phonetically using sound-letter relationships   
• write a sentence with left to right progression and space between words    
• listen to others during conversations
• take turns speaking in conversations  
• express thoughts and ideas clearly

KINDERGARTEN LANGUAGE ARTS SCOPE AND SEQUENCE

Children are born mathematicians. It is the goal of the kindergarten curriculum to enhance and expand children's inherent mathematical ideas and understandings. Through daily instruction, group work, and independent practice, children explore new concepts and skills by way of hands-on activities and real-world problems.

Students will:

• count objects to 20    
• identify numerals up to 20 with fluency   
• match numerals 0-20 to an appropriate set of objects 
• compare sets of objects to 20 
• write numbers 0-20 
• describe objects in the environment using names of shapes   
• describe and compare two- and three-dimensional shapes    
• use position words to describe location, direction, and position of objects   
• build and draw shapes    
• compare objects using measurement attributes    
• demonstrate fluency with addition and subtraction to 5    
• partition numbers less than or equal to 10 in more than one way  
• demonstrate different ways to solve story problems using numbers to and from 10

KINDERGARTEN MATHEMATICS PACING GUIDE

Kindergarten students are encouraged to explore and discover new ideas in science. The students make observations and predictions; ask questions and present information in words and drawings. The students learn to utilize their five senses as they observe the similarities and differences of common objects. This is extended to living things as the kindergarteners distinguish what is living from what is nonliving. Weather conditions are observed daily and seasonally. An exploration of how night and daytime differ is also included. Finally, the students explore how humans use different types of materials to build shelters.

KINDERGARTEN SCIENCE PACING GUIDE

In Kindergarten, students engage in the study of themselves, their family, and their community and learn how to participate and use effective citizenship skills.  They will explore their classroom, school, neighborhood, and home communities through an interdisciplinary approach including history, civic, economics, and geography.  The study of themselves, their family, and their community requires that students generate and research compelling questions such as:

• Why do we need rules?   
• What is my role in the community?   
• How do my needs and wants affect my decisions? 
• How does weather and climate affect how you live? 

KINDERGARTEN SOCIAL STUDIES SCOPE AND SEQUENCE

The technology education program provides students with direct instruction and practice in technology skills on a graduated basis.  Students acquire a working knowledge and understanding of various devices, using a mouse, and features on a keyboard. Students demonstrate mastery of skills by completing grade-appropriate activities and projects.

All students in Newington are encouraged to appreciate and demonstrate respect, responsibility, and empathy. The goal of our health program is for students to develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Students practice making healthy and appropriate decisions throughout each school year. In kindergarten, students learn what it means to be a good friend. The students explore the emotions we all experience, yet they also learn that they need to respect the privacy of others. Kindergartners learn how to begin to care for themselves by exercising and getting enough sleep, brushing their teeth, choosing healthy snacks to eat, and washing their hands to minimize germs.

KINDERGARTEN HEALTH AND WELLNESS SCOPE AND SEQUENCE

Art education promotes the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills as well as self-awareness, self-expression, and well-being. Art education also offers unique, creative experiences that help build self-esteem. The elementary art program promotes interdisciplinary experiences that aid students in the integration of ideas, concepts and processes, and in the development of a holistic perception of their world.

Students will:

• learn how to draw simple buildings, vehicles, animals, and people  
• identify geometric and freeform shapes in artwork and the environment  
• learn about a variety of artists and art forms  
• learn how to use and care for tools and materials 
• use various art media

Music education enhances learning, communication, creativity, teamwork, discipline, cultural awareness, respect for others and self-esteem through personal accomplishment. The music program develops these skills in children to help them succeed in school, society, and in life.

Students will:

• develop readiness for music literacy  
• distinguish between speaking, singing, shouting, and whispering voices   
• use a singing "voice" and rote singing   
• develop movement to a steady beat with percussion, songs, rhymes, circle games, and follow dances   
• explore/identify various classroom instruments    
• begin to understand the concepts of pitch, tempo, dynamics, and form

The Wellness program in kindergarten is based on movement concepts and skill themes. It is a child-centered movement program designed for young children. The program provides planned experiences concerned with what the body can do, how the body can move and where it can go. As the children learn these skills, the skills are then placed into the components of educational dance, educational gymnastics, and educational games.

KINDERGARTEN HEALTH AND WELLNESS SCOPE AND SEQUENCE